Human microchipping: A small step toward transhumanism

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• April 29, 2022

Insight summary

Human microchipping is not just a concept of science fiction; it's a reality that's already being embraced in places like Sweden, where microchips are used for everyday access, and in cutting-edge research by companies like Neuralink. This technology offers the potential for enhanced access, medical breakthroughs, and even the creation of "super soldiers," but it also raises serious ethical, security, and environmental concerns. Balancing the opportunities and risks, addressing the implications for the workforce, and navigating the complex regulatory landscape will be critical challenges as human microchipping continues to evolve and potentially become more commonplace in society.

Human microchipping context

Specific models of microchips have the ability to communicate with external devices using either radio-frequency identification (RFID) or electromagnetic radio fields. Select models of microchips also do not require a power source as they can use an external device’s magnetic field to operate and connect to external systems. These two technical capabilities (alongside numerous other scientific advancements) point towards a future where human microchipping may become commonplace. 

For example, thousands of Swedish citizens have opted for microchips to be implanted in their hands to replace keys and cards. These microchips can be used for gym access, e-tickets for railways, and storing emergency contact information. In addition, Elon Musk’s Neuralink company successfully implanted a microchip into the brains of pigs and monkeys to monitor their brainwaves, monitor for illness, and even enable the monkeys to play video games with their thoughts. A particular example includes the San Francisco-based company, Synchron, which tests wireless implants capable of nervous system stimulation that, in time, may cure paralysis. 

The rise of human microchipping has prompted lawmakers in the US to devise laws that ban forced microchipping proactively. In addition, due to rising privacy concerns surrounding data safety and personal freedoms, forced microchipping is prohibited in 11 states (2021). However, some leading figures in the technology industry still view microchipping positively and believe it can lead to improved outcomes for humans and offer a new market to commercial enterprises. In contrast, surveys of the general workforce indicate higher levels of skepticism regarding the overall benefits of human microchipping. 

Disruptive impact

While human microchipping offers the potential for enhanced access to digital and physical spaces, and even the possibility of augmenting human senses or intellect, it also raises serious security concerns. Hacked microchips could reveal personal information such as a person's location, daily routine, and health status, making individuals more susceptible to cyberattacks that could endanger their lives. The balance between these opportunities and risks will be a critical factor in determining the adoption and impact of this technology.

In the corporate world, the use of microchips may become a strategic advantage, enabling better control of exoskeletons and industrial machines or offering enhancements to senses or intellect. The augmentation possibilities are vast, and these advantages may pressure the general population to adopt such technologies to remain competitive in the future workforce. However, ethical considerations, such as potential coercion or inequality in access to these technologies, must be addressed. Companies may need to develop clear policies and guidelines to ensure that the adoption of this technology is both ethical and equitable.

For governments, the trend of human microchipping presents a complex landscape to navigate. The technology could be leveraged for positive societal benefits, such as improved healthcare monitoring or streamlined access to public services. However, governments may need to enact regulations to protect privacy and security, and to prevent potential misuse or abuse of the technology. The challenge will be in crafting policies that foster the positive aspects of microchipping while mitigating the risks, a task that requires careful consideration of technological, ethical, and societal factors.

Implications of human microchipping 

Wider implications of human microchipping may include:

• The societal normalization of transhumanist principles of body modification with technological components, leading to a broader acceptance of altering or enhancing physical and mental attributes, which may redefine human identity and cultural norms.
• The ability to functionally cure select forms of neurological disorders through microchipping, leading to new therapeutic approaches and potentially transforming the treatment landscape for conditions previously considered untreatable.
• Improved average workplace productivity, as more people opt for microchips to enhance their careers, skills, and physical abilities, potentially reshaping the dynamics of professional development and competition within various industries.
• Increased funding for the promotion and commercialization of voluntary microchipping, leading to the creation of an entirely new body modification industry, which may influence societal perceptions of beauty and self-expression, similar to the cosmetic plastic surgery industry.
• The creation of "super soldiers" that are deeply integrated with personalized exoskeletons and digitized weaponry, as well as with military support UAV drones, field tactical robots, and autonomous transport vehicles, leading to a transformation in military strategy and capabilities.
• The development of new regulations and ethical guidelines to govern the use of human microchipping, leading to potential conflicts between personal autonomy, privacy rights, and societal interests, and requiring careful policymaking to balance these competing concerns.
• The emergence of environmental challenges related to the production, disposal, and recycling of microchips, leading to potential ecological impacts that must be addressed through responsible manufacturing and waste management practices.
• A potential shift in economic power towards companies specializing in microchip technology, leading to changes in market dynamics, investment priorities, and the competitive landscape within the technology and healthcare sectors.
• The potential for social inequality and discrimination based on access to or refusal of microchipping, leading to new societal divisions and requiring careful consideration of inclusivity, affordability, and the potential for coercion in both professional and personal contexts.

Questions to consider

• What are some additional potential use cases for human microchipping in the near and distant futures?
• Do the dangers of human microchipping outweigh the range of potential benefits?